Mobility 21 Plans to Expand Transportation
Advocacy Role
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(Nov. 15, 2005) The Mobility 21 Coalition plans to take
a broader role in 2006 by joining forces with transportation
advocates in neighboring counties to seek state and federal
funding for the region.
Several speakers mentioned the need for the Coalition
to assume a wider role in Southern California during
remarks, Monday, at the 4th annual Mobility 21 Transportation
Summit in Long Beach.
The Coalition, which was successful this year in preventing
Proposition 42 funds from being siphoned off to plug
a state budget deficit, has lobbied extensively at the
state and federal levels for additional funding for transportation
projects.
The Coalition, which was successful this year in preventing
Proposition 42 funds from being siphoned off to plug
a state budget deficit, has lobbied extensively at the
state and federal levels for additional funding for transportation
projects.
“Sacramento and Washington have a vested interest
in helping us improve our highways, rail lines, airports
and public transportation, because mobility is the linchpin
of the economy, and our economy powers California and
the nation,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, “But,
we also need to help ourselves by finding creative local
financing (and) working together as a region to secure
funding.“
“Mobility 21: LA County Moving Together” was
sponsored by Metro and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of
Commerce in partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern
California.
Rusty Hammer, Chamber president
and CEO – who
will be leaving his post in the next several month due
to health reasons – recommended bolstering the
Mobility 21 organization by obtaining long-term funding
and hiring full-time staff.
A regional role
Speaking via video, he said
the organization plans to take on a more regional role
in 2006 by partnering with
transportation advocates in neighboring counties, noting
that “our transportation problems do not stop and
start at the LA County border.”
Hammer’s statement was echoed by Ron Gastelum,
the Chamber’s executive vice president and by Dan
Beal, Auto Club director of public policy, who said, “We’re
very encouraged that Mobility 21 is going to take the
direction of increasing regionally and increasing its
resources to be even more effective….”
Keynote speaker Leon Panetta,
former California congressman and President Clinton’s chief of staff, also called
for a unified approach in Washington, “You absolutely
have to unify. You can’t just do it hit or miss.”
Keynote
speaker Leon Panetta, former California congressman
and President
Clinton’s
chief of staff, also called for a unified approach
in Washington.
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Speakers noted that at the federal level, Mobility 21
was instrumental in helping secure an estimated $4.5
billion in funding for highway and transit programs and
projects that include carpool lanes, traffic upgrades,
rail line extensions, and other highway and street improvements.
However, there still remains a significant gap between
what Los Angeles taxpayers contribute to the state and
federal governments and what the county gets back in
transportation funding resources.
“For every tax dollar we send to Washington, less
than 92 cents comes back to us to invest in our transportation
infrastructure. That just doesn’t add up,” said
Hammer.
Despite the fact that the Mobility 21 lobbying coalition
helped to preserve Proposition 42 transportation funds,
it is anticipated that the legislature will consider
using the funds again next year to balance the budget.
‘Major challenges ahead’
“We know that major challenges are still ahead
on the mobility front, “said CEO Roger Snoble, “…we
need to maintain a unified effort if we are to reach
our goal of eliminating traffic congestion.”
Even with the preservation of state transportation funds
this year, the region is already facing new challenges,
according to Beal of the Auto Club.
“The bad news is that skyrocketing construction
costs are eroding much of the benefit from Proposition
42,” he said. “We need to permanently protect
Proposition 42 funds, and we will need creative solutions
to ensure that vital transportation projects are not
further delayed by these cost increases.”
The focus of the summit included a panel discussion
on creative financing options to improve congestion,
as well as sessions on transportation and its role in
the global economy, transportation and quality of life
in Los Angeles, and homeland security.
Speakers included Long Beach
Mayor Beverly O’Neill
and U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary
Maria Cino.
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